Home Cities - Lima, Peru

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Lima

Early morning arrival in Lima. Meet our bilingual guide and escorted transfer to the Sonesta Miraflores Hotel, located across the from an olive grove dating back to 400 years ago, during the conquest of Peru by Francisco Pizarro. Afternoon a city tour of Colonial and modern Lima, strolling along the main square, surrounded by the metropolitan cathedral, the government pal2ace, the city hall, and the archbishop of Lima mansion. The waking tour will take us to the San Francisco Convent, to visit the catacombs and the galleries with works of art of the Lima School of Painting. One of the famous paintings is the Last Supper. Christ is seated at a round table, surrounded by the apostles and angels. The artwork departs from the traditional Last Supper painted by Leonardo da Vinci in Milan. Our visit to the City of Kings, as Lima is called, a lunch will be served at the Larco Museum of Pre-Colombian art.

Lima to Cuzco 

This morning flight to Cuzco, the former capital of the Inca Empire. Cuzco is one the best-preserved colonial cities in the world. In 1532 Francisco Pizarro met Atahualpa the Inca emperor in Cajamarca and held him in prison. He asked for a ransom in gold and silver to fill a room to the ceiling. The ramson was brought to Cajamarca from Cuzco, but Pizarro killed the Inca. In 1533, Pizarro and his small army entered Cuzco and took 200 loads of gold and 25 loads of silver from the Qoricancha, the Temple of the Sun, where the Incas worshipped. During the afternoon we visit the Temple of the Sun, the 17th century old cathedral with its treasure in silver, gold, and work of art of the Cuzco School of Painting. A few miles from downtown Cuzco are the famous fortress of Sacsayhuaman and other archaeological sites. Sacsayhuaman was built with huge stones, many of them weighing up to 200 tons set in such a way that the joining stones are so perfect that you cannot fit a razor blade in its joints. From the top of the fortress, you can observe the city of Cuzco, in a valley surrounded by the Andes. The stay will be at the Palace of the Inca Hotel. Soon after the conquest it served as a mansion for the family of conquistador Pizarro.

Cuzco - Sacred Valley

We leave Cuzco and travel to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, where we visit the Pisac Indian Market, one of the famous native markets in South America. Here is the place to purchase textiles made by the local communities, artwork, precious stones set in silver or gold. At noon time we arrive at the Wayra Ranch, where we will taste a typical Peruvian lunch while watching a horse show like the Lipizzaner’s in Viena. Following lunch, we drive to Ollantaytambo, a small Inca village at the foot of the largest fortress in South America. The village of Ollantaytambo has been untouched by the Spanish conquistador. It is one of the few villages left intact during the colonization of Peru. Overnight will be at the Sonesta Yucay Hotel, a colonial convent remodeled into a hotel.

Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu

to Early morning transfer to the train station in Ollantaytambo for a ride on the Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes, the charming village at the foot of the majestic Andes. Soon after lunch, a bus will take us to the entrance of Machu, our overnight stay will be at the Sumaq Hotel in Aguas Calientes. There will be plenty of time to shop in a typical native market, and bargain with the natives for beautiful articles in llama, vicuna, and alpaca wool, as well as jewelry in silver and gold.

Machu Picchu - Cuzco 

Early morning, enter the Lost Citadel of the Incas to visit places not experienced during the first entry. Machu Picchu is perched on top of the Andes and surrounded by a majestic landscape that extends beyond the Vilcabamba mountains, believed to be the hiding place of an Inca treasure never found by the Conquistadores. After lunch return to Aguas calientes to take a train to Ollantaytambo and a bus to Cuzco.

Cuzco - Santiago, Chile

Morning transfer to the airport for a flight to Santiago Chile (change of planes in Lima). Overnight in Santiago.

Santiago, Chile

Santiago is a modern city with a small downtown area where government offices are located. We are a few blocks away from the historic area of Santiago. The city, like many other cities in Central and South America was founded in 1541, but little has been left of the Hispanic architecture. Santiago sits at the foot of the Andes, close to the Aconcagua Mountain, the highest peak in the western hemisphere, at 22.837 ft.

Flight to Easter Island, Chile (Rapa Nui)

The adventure of a lifetime starts today with a flight to Easter Island, called Rapa Nui for the natives. Our arrival will be in the afternoon. Half a day tour of the Orongo ceremonial village. This archaeological site was used by the ancient inhabitants of the Rapa Nui for the competition of the Tangata Manu or Birdman. The competition determined which clan would oversee the government of the Rapa Nui for one year.

Teo Toki, Anakena

Full day tour Teo Toki in Anakena. During this trip you will be immersed in the mysteries of the island. You can observe several moais lying on the ground. Legend says that Ranu Aku is the place where the first king of Rapa Nui was buried. Ranu Raraku is a sacred place where the giant moais were sculpted.

Akivi, Easter Island to Santiago

Half day tour visiting ceremonial sites.  The drive will take you to the interior of the island and learn about the iconic making of the moais.  Afternoon return to the airport for the flight to Santiago. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Santiago. 

Santiago - Valparaiso 

Valparaiso is the oldest port on the Pacific coast. In many ways the city looks like San Francisco. Steep streets cross the city which is perched on top of a hill. From the beach it could be reached by a funicular. The rakish atmosphere has a resemblance of the Victorian era. Cobblestones streets and old buildings. The city was the residence of the famous poet Pablo Neruda. Our experience will continue to Vina del Mar, the summer resort of the Santiaguinos, the inhabitants of the capital city of Chile. In Colonial days the place where Vina del Mar stands were farmlands, now it is a thriving city which hosts the “Festival de la Cancion.” Performers from all over the world come to Vina del Mar every year in February to compete in the Festival of the Song. After the tour return to our hotel. Late transfer to the airport for our overnight flight home.

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Today you should arrive home with memories to last a lifetime!